Lead Pastor

Canadian Baptists of Ontario & Quebec; Whitby; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitby Baptist Church is looking for a visionary Lead Pastor to spearhead its spiritual leadership and oversee the congregation's growth. The ideal candidate will have a strong call to ministry and a passion for teaching, fostering evangelism, and community connections.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor of Theology or similar required.
• 4+ years of pastoral ministry experience preferred.
• Comfortable with blended worship styles.

Responsibilities

• Providing spiritual leadership and vision aligned with biblical principles.
• Preaching and teaching the Word of God most Sundays.
• Administering baptisms and communion.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Evangelism

Teaching

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Bachelor of Theology

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies

Job description

411 Gilbert Street East Whitby, ON L1N 1R6, 411 Gilbert St E, Whitby, ON L1N 1R6

Commensurate with qualifications, experience and CBOQ guidelines.

Application Deadline

2025/06/30

Country

Canada

Description

Whitby Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a passionate and visionary leader to serve as our next Lead Pastor and oversee the spiritual leadership of our congregation. Located in Whitby, Ontario our church is a member of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ) and is a vibrant community of Christ Followers dedicated to connecting with God, His Word, His Church, and His Mission. We are looking for a Spirit-led individual who will shepherd our congregation into our next chapter of ministry.

Overview of Church and Community

A culturally diverse, small yet vibrant, multi-generational, baptist christian church that has been serving the Region of Durham/GTA for almost 150 years. Whitby Baptist Church (WBC) is located in the heart of Whitby, Ontario, is situated close to local schools, grocery stores, shopping centres, and has easy access to public transit. We pride ourselves on our devotion to God's Word, our welcoming spirit, strong sense of community, empowerment of every member to minister, passion for people and desire to serve. We offer services in person and virtually. We have a self-led service for our Korean-speaking members (on Sunday afternoons).

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Minimum Bachelor of Theology or Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, or similar

Role and Responsibilities

The Lead Pastor will be responsible for a range of duties, including but not limited to:

• Providing spiritual leadership and vision for the church in alignment with biblical principles and core doctrines described in the CBOQ This We Believe resource. This involves casting a vision for the church's future, setting direction, and inspiring the congregation.
• Preaching and teaching the Word of God in a manner that is biblically rooted and relevant to contemporary life. The Lead Pastor is expected to preach most Sundays.
• Assisting in organization weekly worship services in partnership with WBC’s worship leaders.
• Administering the ordinances of baptism and communion.
• Providing pastoral care and instruction to the congregation, ensuring spiritual growth and adherence to Christian teachings. This may include visitation, counseling, and leading membership classes.
• Equipping believers to discover and use their spiritual gifts for the work of ministry.
• Building and maintaining relationships with members of the congregation, demonstrating a shepherd's heart and a love for people.
• Working collaboratively with church leadership, in a congregational governance model in partnership with the Elders and the Board of Directors. The pastor reports to and seeks counsel from the Board of Elders.
• Leading and encouraging the congregation in sharing their faith with others outside the church, fostering a culture of evangelism.
• Maintaining a commitment to the church's theological convictions (as a Baptist church, this would align with core Baptist beliefs).
• Supporting existing ministries such as food bank and partnership church congregations that share and meet in the WBC building.
• Actively participating in denominational events and active participation in denominational and regional events.

Preferred Skills

The ideal candidate will:

• Be a person of God who fits the biblical description for the role of an elder/overseer (see 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
• Have a profound passion and love for God, the Bible, and the Body of Christ.
• Demonstrate a vibrant, intimate, and prayerful relationship with God.
• Be reliant on the Holy Spirit and rooted in Scripture.
• Possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Have a passion and love for evangelism, with a desire to share God's Word with the community.
• Demonstrate a gift for teaching and preaching.
• Be committed to equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12).
• Ideally have 4 or more years of pastoral ministry experience.
• Hold a minimum bachelor's degree in theology or biblical studies
• Be comfortable with blended worship styles
• Model integrity, compassion, and commitment to pastoral care.
• Be able to articulate and describe their calling to ministry and how God has verified this in their life.
• Be in agreement with Baptist Distinctives and theology and be willing to be approved and credentialed by the CBOQ, and if not credentialed with the CBOQ, will start the process within one year.
• Be willing to submit an updated criminal reference check (including vulnerable sector screening) upon selection and legally eligible to work in Canada.
• Provide personal and professional references

Contact

Submit resume in Word or PDF format to [e-mail] . If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Pastor 58 1st Avenue North, Chesley, ON, N0G 1L0